WATCH: Nuno and Suzi join appeal to ignore 'lies' and go for the vaccine
Health chiefs in Wolverhampton have urged people not to let false information or myths deter them from having the Covid-19 vaccine.
Leaders across the city made the plea as short messages – including one from Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo – were rolled out on social media and YouTube.
It forms a part of a campaign to help boost the uptake of the vaccine, with Wolverhampton-born broadcaster Suzi Perry also joining in.
The messages are from Nuno Espirito Santo, former senior police officer Keith Fraser, Pastor Derrick Campbell from the City of Zion Church, local GP Dr Amanda Chisholm and Suzi Perry.
In the latest film, Dr Chisholm addresses five of the most common myths about the vaccine including safety, contents and fertility, and explains that the vaccine is “our best chance of fighting the pandemic and getting back to normal life.”
In other films, Mr Fraser, who is now Chair of the Youth Justice Board, talks about his personal experience of coronavirus, explaining how he has “seen first-hand the impact that this terrible virus can have,” and why it is important to have the vaccine.
Pastor Campbell encourages people to “talk to the NHS, talk to your doctor” if they have any concerns about the vaccine and says, “when you get the call, take the jab.”
Wolves’ Head Coach Nuno talks about the importance of having the coronavirus vaccine: “I don’t have any kind of doubts about it. It is safe, it is approved. I am wishing everyone all over the world has it so we can move and travel and go back to seeing our families.”
Meanwhile Suzi, who had her vaccine at Aldersley Leisure Village recently, encourages everyone in the city to “get in with the pack” and have theirs too.
All of the films have been shared through the Wolverhampton Community Champions network and are also available to view on City of Wolverhampton Council’s YouTube channel.
John Denley, Wolverhampton's director of public health, said: "With myths and misinformation about the vaccine creating hesitancy it is important that people have access to the facts and can make informed decisions.
"Together, these short films have been widely viewed and shared. I hope everyone watching them will be reassured that the vaccine is safe and effective and will have theirs as soon as they can.
"It is important that we don’t let mistruths, myths or misinformation prevent people from having this life-saving vaccination. The sooner we all do, the sooner we can start to return to a more normal way of life."
